Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears Included with Fabric Softener Recalled by Unilever Home and Personal Care USA

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2001
Release # 01-146

Firm Recall Hotline: (800) 598-5005
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063
Unilever Contact: Stephen Milton, (212) 418-8531

CPSC, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears Included with Fabric Softener

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Unilever Home and Personal Care USA, of Greenwich, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 150,000 Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears with a nightcap and pom-pom. The yellow pom-pom can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

CPSC and Unilever Home and Personal Care USA have received one report of an infant who put the pom-pom in his mouth, gagged and began to choke before his mother removed the pom-pom.

The bear was included as a promotional item in Snuggle®, Cuddle Up®, Fresh Rain^TM, and Sweet Slumber^TM fabric softener products sold in twin packs. Each twin pack contains a bottle of liquid fabric softener and a box of softener sheets along with the bear. The bean bear is 5 inches tall and wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design. At the end of the nightcap is a yellow pom-pom. A label on the bear reads in part "©2001 Lever Brothers Company, Made In China."

Wal-Mart Stores nationwide sold the twin packs containing the bear with the pom-pom on the cap from March 2001 through April 2001 for between $7 and $8.

Consumers should immediately remove the bear's pom-pom to eliminate the choking hazard. For additional information, consumers can contact Snuggle at (800)-598-5005 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at Snuggletime.com.

No other Snuggle bears are included in this recall.